For biscuits, cupcakes or small cakes, first compare the sugars per 100 g, then choose between dark and milk chocolate sprinkles based on your recipe and the ingredients. Céréal states greater sugar reductions than the Albert Heijn and Jumbo products reviewed, but Céréal’s products contain maltitols. For decorating baked goods, adding the sprinkles after cooling is a method supported by the available information; the product details don’t tell us how they behave when baked in the oven.
If you want to use chocolate sprinkles as decoration but are mainly comparing their sugar content, Céréal lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for its dark chocolate version and 15 g per 100 g for its milk chocolate version. Check the ingredients as well as these figures: both products contain maltitols.
If you want to decorate biscuits, cupcakes or small cakes with dark or milk chocolate sprinkles and are happy with a moderate sugar reduction, Albert Heijn states that selected dark and milk chocolate versions contain 30% less sugar. Jumbo states that its dark chocolate version contains at least 30% less sugar than its regular dark chocolate sprinkles. In a Lidl recipe, the sprinkles are added to baked goods after they have cooled.
If you need to check whether a particular product is suitable for the people who’ll be eating your baking, do so before decorating. Céréal dark chocolate sprinkles list soya and may contain milk; Jumbo dark chocolate sprinkles list milk and may contain gluten and wheat. Check the packaging for the product you choose, even if its flavour is described simply as ‘dark chocolate’.
First decide how important a sugar reduction is to you, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g. Next, consider which chocolate flavour and ingredients suit your baking and the people who’ll be eating it. Decide separately when to add the sprinkles.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar reduction | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check the reference product used for any reduction claim. Céréal lists 7.7 g per 100 g for its dark chocolate version; Albert Heijn lists 43 g per 100 g for its lower-sugar dark chocolate version. | If I’m prioritising lower sugar, I want to be able to compare the amount in the chocolate sprinkles I choose, rather than relying only on the claim on the front of the pack. Around 46% of consumers give this need top priority. |
| Flavour and decoration | Choose dark or milk chocolate to suit your recipe. For biscuits, Lidl describes decorating them with chocolate spread and sprinkles once they have cooled completely. | For cupcakes or biscuits, I mainly want a chocolate flavour that works well and a decoration that stands out; baking the sprinkles in isn’t essential. This is the first consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you choose. For products with a substantial sugar reduction, also check for sweeteners and polyols. | If I’m baking for someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients, the label determines which chocolate sprinkles I can use. This check comes first for around 18% of consumers. |
A reduction claim describes a comparison, not the absolute amount of sugars. Céréal dark chocolate sprinkles list 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g; Albert Heijn’s lower-sugar dark chocolate sprinkles list 43 g per 100 g.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and consider how much chocolate sprinkles you use per serving.
Céréal’s dark and milk chocolate versions contain maltitols and list 40 g and 44 g of polyols per 100 g respectively. These ingredients are also important when choosing a product.
Before buying, read the full ingredients list and nutritional information for the product you’re considering.
In a Lidl recipe, the biscuits are baked and left to cool completely before the sprinkles are added as decoration. This method doesn’t tell us how a lower-sugar version behaves in dough or in the oven.
If you want to bake the sprinkles in, check the guidance for the specific product and recipe, or try a small amount first.
Dark chocolate versions can still list relevant allergens. Céréal dark chocolate sprinkles list soya and may contain milk; Jumbo dark chocolate sprinkles list milk and may contain gluten and wheat.
Check the current packaging for the exact product you plan to use.
Compare individual products rather than brands as a whole: sugar content, ingredients and suitability for your recipe can vary from one product to another.
Its dark and milk chocolate sprinkles are options if you’re looking for a substantial sugar reduction stated by the manufacturer.
The dark and milk chocolate sprinkles reviewed offer a choice of two chocolate flavours, both with a stated sugar reduction.
The dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed are an option if you want to compare a dark chocolate version with an explicit reduction claim.
The dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed can be used as a regular option when comparing decorations, but they are not a proven lower-sugar choice.
The milk and vanilla sprinkles reviewed are a regular decoration option if sugar reduction isn’t your main priority.
No. A reduction claim compares a product with a reference product; also check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the label. Albert Heijn’s lower-sugar dark chocolate sprinkles list 43 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 7.7 g per 100 g for the Céréal dark chocolate version reviewed.
Don’t assume the sprinkles will behave as you want when baked in unless there are instructions for that specific product. A Lidl recipe leaves the biscuits to cool completely before adding chocolate spread and sprinkles. If you still want to bake them in, try a small amount in your recipe first.
Check the ingredients, the amounts of sugars and polyols per 100 g, and the allergens listed on the packaging of the product you choose. Céréal dark chocolate sprinkles list maltitols and soya, and may contain milk; the milk chocolate version lists maltitols, milk and soya. The stated amounts of polyols are 40 g and 44 g per 100 g respectively.
Follow the storage instructions and check the date on the packaging of your chosen product. Albert Heijn and Jumbo recommend storing the versions reviewed in a cool, dry, dark place; seal the packaging well after use.
